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Ellsworth planning board approves Kingsland Storage Center plan; stormwater capacity and maintenance questions remain
Summary
On Jan. 7, 2026 the Ellsworth Planning Board approved the final site plan for the Kingsland Storage Center, a proposed 29,200 ft² self‑storage building on a 1.9‑acre lot, while members pressed applicants and staff on stormwater allocations, pond maintenance and ownership. Vote tally was not specified in the transcript.
The Ellsworth Planning Board on Jan. 7 approved the final site plan for the Kingsland Storage Center, a proposed 29,200‑square‑foot self‑storage building on a roughly 1.9‑acre lot off Kingsland Crossing. The agenda listed the applicant/owner as Bulmar Commercial Ellsworth LLC; during the approval motion that name was also spoken as Bowmark Commercial Ellsworth LLC.
Board members and the applicant spent the bulk of the public hearing on technical questions about stormwater: how the lot ties into an existing subdivision drainage plan, whether the downstream detention ponds have capacity for future development, and who is responsible for long‑term maintenance.
Why it matters: the board must ensure new construction will meet city and state stormwater requirements and will not exceed allocations assigned under the original subdivision approvals. If the detention ponds are at capacity, undeveloped parcels in the area will need on‑site treatment and rate control rather than relying on the existing ponds.
Applicant Rich Trot and consultant Jim Kaiser told the board the lot was included in the subdivision’s master drainage plan and that the project does not exceed the impervious‑surface allocation planned for that parcel. Kaiser said the subdivision’s existing detention pond handled the rate control for lots included in the original approval, while water‑quality controls remain the developer’s responsibility. "We crossed all the tees and dotted all the eyes," Rich Trot said, offering the site plan and minor stormwater revisions for the board’s review.
Board members pressed for clarity on ownership and maintenance. A board member noted the detention basin was constructed about 20 years ago and asked whether sedimentation or lack of upkeep might reduce capacity. Jim Kaiser said maintenance agreements and easements tied to the original developer and permit holder generally govern long‑term responsibility; he also said one wet pond in the system currently falls under Jackson Lab’s control. "If it's maxed out, they'll have to treat and handle their own water on site instead of letting it discharge," Kaiser told the board.
Members also discussed allocations for the remaining undeveloped parcel adjacent to the site. Staff and the applicant clarified that a 0.1‑acre allocation referenced in paperwork applied specifically to the subject lot, not the whole subdivision, and that each undeveloped lot must bring engineering calculations to demonstrate it stays within its allocation.
The board closed the public hearing and moved to approve the final plan. A member moved to approve the Kingsland Storage Center final plan and another seconded; the chair called for a vote and the motion was approved on the record. The transcript does not record a roll‑call tally. Applicant representatives thanked the board and said they were "excited to get started."
Next steps: the applicant will proceed to secure any necessary city and state permits required for stormwater and construction, and staff signaled they will keep the plan and original approval documents in the files; an attendee offered to provide a copy of the original approval order to clarify long‑term detention‑pond responsibilities.
